Thiruvathirai / Arudra Darisanam

                                                     


In Hinduism, it is believed that the Lord Nataraja, the dancing form of Lord Shiva was born on this day and it is considered as very auspicious.

The dance of Lord Shiva in the form of Nataraja represents five things– Creation, Protection, Destruction, Release and Embodiment. It represents the continuous cycle of creation and destruction. The cosmic dance takes place in every particle and is the source of all energy.

Arudra signifies the golden red flame and Lord Shiva performs the dance in the form of red flaming light. Most of the temples around the world with Lord Nataraja and Shiva celebrate Arudra Darshan.

The most important Thiruvadharai festival takes place at the Chidambaram Shiva Temple in Tamil Nadu. The cosmic dance of Lord Shiva is enacted on the day. Chidambaram is considered as one of the five places that represent the Pancha Maha Bhootams (Fire, Air, Water, Land and Sky).

Pradosham

Significance of Pradosham:


Lord Shiva performed the sandhyanritya or evening dance, appearing between the horns of his vehicle, the Nandi (bull). On this occasion, it is said that Saraswati played Veena; Indra the flute, Vishnu the mridangam and Brahma kept tala or beat to Lakshmi’s singing –a truly divine ensemble. The time span between 4:30 and 6:00 in the evening of trayodashi both during the waxing and waning phases of the moon when he performed this divine tandava dance came to be sanctified as the PRADOSHAM.
As the name indicates, devotees who worship Lord Shiva during the Pradosham hours, get rid of all their "doshams" committed either knowingly or unknowingly or those committed in their previous birth.
It is also said that during pradosham, ALL the devas are present to witness the incident, and hence devotees thronging to the temple to get a darshan of Lord Shiva also get the blessings of whom we call the mupathimukodi devas.

Pradosham

Significance of Pradosham: Lord Shiva performed the sandhyanritya or evening dance, appearing between the horns of his vehicle, the Nandi (bull). On this occasion, it is said that Saraswati played Veena; Indra the flute, Vishnu the mridangam and Brahma kept tala or beat to Lakshmi’s singing –a truly divine ensemble. The time span between 4:30 and 6:00 in the evening of trayodashi both during the waxing and waning phases of the moon when he performed this divine tandava dance came to be sanctified as the PRADOSHAM.
As the name indicates, devotees who worship Lord Shiva during the Pradosham hours, get rid of all their "doshams" committed either knowingly or unknowingly or those committed in their previous birth.
It is also said that during pradosham, ALL the devas are present to witness the incident, and hence devotees thronging to the temple to get a darshan of Lord Shiva also get the blessings of whom we call the mupathimukodi devas.

Shivarathri

Shivarathri this year falls on the night of 6th of March 2008. But temples in some regions are celebrating it on the 5th of March. Please confirm with your local custom regarding the exact date.

Significance of Shivarathri:

Sri Maha Shivaratri means "The Night of Shiva". The pooja and vratham take place mainly at night. This is a festival observed in honour of Lord Shiva. Shiva was married to Parvati on this day. This is the night when Shiva is said to have performed the Tandava or the dance of primordial creation, preservation and destruction.

People repeat the Panchakshara Mantra "Om Namah Shivaya" as it is said he who utters the Names of Shiva during Shivaratri, with perfect devotion and concentration, is freed from all sins. He reaches the abode of Shiva and lives there happily. He is liberated from the wheel of births and deaths. Many pilgrims flock to the places where there are Shiva temples.

Story behind the greatness of Shivarathri:

One of the many incidents told about the greatness of this day, is as follows. Once a hunter in a jungle after searching throughout the jungle, was quite tired and could not get any animal. In the nightfall a tiger started chasing him. to escape from that he climbed a tree. That was a Bilva tree. The tiger sat under the tree waiting for him to come down. The hunter who sat on a branch of the tree was quite tense and didn't want to sleep. He was plucking the leaves and putting down as he could not be idle. Below the tree there was a Shiva lingam. The whole night went on like this. God was pleased with the Upavasa (hunger) and the Pooja the hunter did even without knowledge. He gave the hunter and the tiger "Moksha".

What to do during Shivarathri:

One should fast the whole night of Shivarathri and break the fast next morning. Lord Shiva's name should be chanted with complete devotion. Shiva temples should be visited for obtaining Lord's blessings. Worshipping Lord Shiva during Shivarathri destroys the sins accumulated over a multitude of previous births and purifies the intellect.

Pradosham, Sravana Vratham

SravaNam or Thiruvonam is the nakshathram associated with Lord Vishnu. Hence, it has highly auspicious overtones . Sravanam is celebrated particularly in Uppiliappan Koil and Thirumalai ( and all other Venkatesa temples .Many Vishnu devotees observe Upavasam and do not consume any food and send a significant portion of the day reflecting on the glories of Lord Vishnu. Sravana Vratham and associated fasting is not as mandatory as the observance of Ekadasi Fasting and Dhvadasi breaking of fast . On SravaNam day , there is a huge assembly of devotees at Uppiliappan Sannidhi and Sravana dheepam is lit and carried around the temple premises .

Significance of Pradosham:
Lord Shiva performed the sandhyanritya or evening dance, appearing between the horns of his vehicle, the Nandi (bull). On this occasion, it is said that Saraswati played Veena; Indra the flute, Vishnu the mridangam and Brahma kept tala or beat to Lakshmi’s singing –a truly divine ensemble. The time span between 4:30 and 6:00 in the evening of trayodashi both during the waxing and waning phases of the moon when he performed this divine tandava dance came to be sanctified as the PRADOSHAM.As the name indicates, devotees who worship Lord Shiva during the Pradosham hours, get rid of all their "doshams" committed either knowingly or unknowingly or those committed in their previous birth.It is also said that during pradosham, ALL the devas are present to witness the incident, and hence devotees thronging to the temple to get a darshan of Lord Shiva also get the blessings of whom we call the mupathimukodi devas.

Somavaara Pradosham

Significance of Pradosham: Lord Shiva performed the sandhyanritya or evening dance, appearing between the horns of his vehicle, the Nandi (bull). On this occasion, it is said that Saraswati played Veena; Indra the flute, Vishnu the mridangam and Brahma kept tala or beat to Lakshmi’s singing –a truly divine ensemble. The time span between 4:30 and 6:00 in the evening of trayodashi both during the waxing and waning phases of the moon when he performed this divine tandava dance came to be sanctified as the PRADOSHAM.
As the name indicates, devotees who worship Lord Shiva during the Pradosham hours, get rid of all their "doshams" committed either knowingly or unknowingly or those committed in their previous birth.
It is also said that during pradosham, ALL the devas are present to witness the incident, and hence devotees thronging to the temple to get a darshan of Lord Shiva also get the blessings of whom we call the mupathimukodi devas.

Maasi Somavaara Pradosham:
Maasi pradosham (Pradosham during the month of Maasi is considered to be special as the month's name is said to be formed with the combination Ma+Si from U"ma" (Uma referred to as Goddess Parvati) and "Si"van. And Somavaram(Monday) is a special day for Lord Shiva every week.

I have been a witness to the Pradosham celebration at Kapaleeswarar temple right from my childhood. The sights and sounds of the extremely religious event with devotees thronging the temple and with chants of "Shambo Mahadeva" and "Hara Hara Shankara, Shiva Shiva Shankara" sends you to a totally different world.

Please try visiting a Shiva temple during pradosham to get a truly out of the world religious experience.

Krithigai Vratham & Bheemashtami

Vrathas are called "Upavasas" which literally means "Living near God". The devotee voluntarily imposes on himself food restrictions and emotional restrictions.



Krithigai Vratham:For which God?
Lord Murugan or Subramanya

Significance of Krithigai vratham:
For oneness in the family

Bheemashtami:
The eighth day of the Shukla Paksha of the Magha month is known as Bheemashtami. It was on this day when Bheesma Pitamah passed away.